RCB vs LSG: Faf Du Plessis & Glenn Maxwell Stun LSG With A Magnificent Century Stand
Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell [Source: AP]
Two mainstays of the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting unit, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis have ensured a fitting finish for their team against Lucknow Super Giants through some sensational stroke play.
After being put into bat by LSG, RCB got off to a flier, thanks to Virat Kohli's flamboyant 44-ball 61, including four boundaries and as many sixes. However, the dynamic duo struggled to maintain the scoring rate after the power play, with Kohli eventually losing his wicket to ace spinner Amit Mishra.
However, RCB think tank's decision to promote Glenn Maxwell proved to be a masterstroke, as the swashbuckling Australian batter not only upped the scoring rate but also encouraged Du Plessis to change his gears.
Upon Maxwell's arrival, KL Rahul instantly brought back Mark Wood, whom the batter negotiated safely before going berserk against LSG's spin twin, Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra.
The experienced all-rounder played his role of a designated spin-hitter to perfection, smashing them all around the park. If that wasn't enough, he also shell-shocked LSG's pace bowlers, taking them to the cleaners throughout his innings.
Du Plessis, on the other hand, gradually got the momentum and hammered Jaydev Unadkat for 17 runs in the 18th over.
Both completed their half-centuries and stitched a mammoth 115-run stand for the second wicket before Maxwell was cleaned up by Mark Wood in the final over.
Their valiant efforts made RCB the favourites to win the game, setting a massive target of 213 runs for the Super Giants.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
